Loire Valley
Private Experiences and Tours
Just a short distance from Paris, the Loire Valley spans 280 kilometers and is located in the middle of the Loire River…France’s longest river. It was the region of choice for royalty and nobles to build towering castles and immense hunting lodges. Today, 42 Loire chateaux are part of UNESCO. It is a gastronomic paradise with its vegetables, meats and cheeses. Loire is also home to impressive vineyards well-known for their still and sparkling whites, red and rose wines. There are more than 60 wine appellations in Loire Valley including Sancerre, Vouvray, Chinon, Saumur, Muscadet, Cheverny and Pouilly-Fume.
We are very excited to share exclusive and authentic experiences that we’ve uncovered in Loire Valley for your clients! Below are some examples that we can include in their custom-designed vacation adventure!
COOKING CLASSES
Michelin-Starred Cooking Class
Join a double Michelin-starred chef for a traditional cooking class followed by a delicious lunch with wine.
2-3 hours, including lunch
Saturdays only
FYI: Maximum of 8-10 people
Les Halles Visit & Cooking Class
Visit the indoor food market with your instructor who will introduce you to shopkeepers and explain their history. Taste some of the shopkeepers’ products and buy the essentials for your cooking class. Return to your classroom where you will learn to make a French starter, main dish and dessert — based on recipes you choose before your course! Finally, enjoy the fruits of your labor with a delicious lunch served with local Loire wine.
5 hours, including lunch
All year
LOCAL DELICACIES
Hunting for Black Gold
Work with Loire’s pre-eminent truffle farmer and his highly trained Lagotto Romagnolo dogs to hunt for what’s known as black gold. France recognized his truffle farm as the country’s first due to the quantity and diversity of its truffle species! Tour his truffle tree orchard and enjoy a private hunt where you will also learn how to avoid purchasing fake French truffles.
Participate in a small cooking course in the farmer’s private kitchen and enjoy a truffle tasting with Chinon wine. If you are a group of 10 or more, instead of the cooking course, you could enjoy a three-course truffle lunch prepared by a chef and served in the farmer’s charming wine cellar.
Both experiences last 3 hours
Mid-November - End of March (black truffle season)
FYI: In off-season, frozen truffles for truffle hunt
The Unexpected Invention of Triple Sec
One of France’s leading liqueur producers actually started as a chocolatier, adding orange liqueur to enhance the flavor of their chocolates. Customers loved their liqueur so much, they shifted business models to focus solely on producing flavored liqueurs. In fact, they are THE inventor of Triple Sec! See where they produce ALL of their liqueurs for world consumption (you’ll be shocked by how small the distillery is). Taste samples from their expansive line of liqueurs and syrups and learn how to make a few trendy cocktails.
HISTORY
Protecting French Art and Wine from the Nazis
We take you behind the scenes of the book and movie, The Monuments Men. You will visit the chateau, which became the processing center and main depository for national collections from museums such as the Louvre, Versailles, and Elysée Palace. Learn how France organized the evacuation of priceless artwork, how it was preserved, and where the art was actually stored. Enjoy lunch in a medieval neighborhood that was miraculously spared from war bombings. Visit a museum that displays recovered paintings stolen from Jewish families by the Nazis. Discover the challenge to find the legitimate owners or heirs of these works of art. Lastly, visit a Vouvray vineyard that like many winemakers, hid its best wine underground during the war.
Full day
All year - except Tuesdays
Loire Valley: The Cradle of the French Renaissance
The French Renaissance, which influenced art, architecture, landscaping, religion and philosophy, began in Loire and was fueled by King Francis I’s passion for Italian art. In fact, he invited several Italian artists, including Leonardo Da Vinci, to move to France to serve the King's Court. Visit a Loire chateau where you will learn about this architectural transformation. After lunch, visit da Vinci’s home during his time in France. Learn about his legacy and how his innovations were ahead of his time. Close the day with a visit to a chateau that transformed the use and designs of castle gardens.
Full day
All year
Loire Valley’s Most Influential Women
For three centuries, powerful women in Loire Valley had a major impact on both royalty and cultural norms. Visit two Loire chateaux where six women including Joan of Arc, Agnes Sorel and Diana the Huntress had their greatest impact on history.
Full day
All year